Clutch have walked their own path for the last 35 years. No rockstar bulls**t, no egos, just blue-collar rock music- played with a passion that is replicated by their fans dedication to them. They headlined the London Desertfest before undertaking this mini–Irish Tour within the wider European tour.
Already having played Belfast and the first of a two-night run in Dublin’s Academy (capacity 650)I arrived at the venue with high expectations that they would be red hot by the second night and the bigger reputation that Clutch don’t play bad gigs. I wasn’t disappointed.
First up were Galway’s Ten Ton Slug who’s blend of sludge metal was heavy as hell and went down extremely well with the hundred or so fans who arrived early to catch their set. About twenty minutes before Clutch were due on the venue suddenly became very full indeed. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. The crowd was made up of veterans like myself (or relics! Ahem) and a younger crowd proving Clutch are still gathering new fans to the fold.
Clutch walk on stage with little fanfare before crashing into “Animal Farm” and immediately Neal Fallon has the audience in the palm of his hand. He stalks the (small) stage using every inch of it to engage the audience on the floor and in the balcony. Tim Sult pumps out riff after riff while Dan Maines (bass) and Jean-Paul Gaster (Drums) lay down a rhythm that is not only heavy but swings like a wrecking ball. Where other bands are happy to beat you into submission Clutch bring a BIG dose of funk to the music.
“The Mob goes Wild” could describe this crowd’s reaction as Fallon channels the Wide-eyed preacher, whose every gesture from a look to a hand movement is aped by the crowd. He constantly points or reaches for a section of the crowd, and they react as if being compelled by the force of not only the music but his powerhouse voice that is full of fury, passion, and a bone-dry sense of humour.
The band is so well oiled and tight they rarely even look in each other’s direction. “Earth Rocker”, “Crucial Velocity”, “Firebirds!” all pass in the blink of an eye. Clutch make it look effortless and never let up.
When one considers this is a different set list than the first night of The Academy the almost telepathic communication between these musicians is even more impressive. Fallon rarely speaks to the crowd except for a nod or a thank you but his prowess as a front man are a joy to witness. The music covers a lot of territory. Rock, Blues, Funk, and the influences from Hawkwind to Howlin Wolf, to the Stooges to Z.Z. Top create a gumbo of fantastic music that has the venue vibrating.
After leaving the crowd wanting more with “Pure Rock Fury” the Dublin choir demand one more song. Clutch return to the stage to deliver the banger “Electric Worry” and quickly segway into a supped up cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” before taking their final bows.
As I left the venue wrung out and totally satisfied I heard more than one audience member comment that the gig was like going to church. I cannot top that description.
Each song was delivered with a ferocity and urgency that has the atmosphere of a Baptist religious gathering waiting for the rapture. As “Earth Rocker” preaches –“Do it live on stage or don’t do it at all” Clutch live up to that mantra and then some.
They follow this gig with one in Dolan’s Warehouse in Limerick (Capacity 380). I think they will level the building and possibly the city.
-Bobo Coen
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